Reversible strut for brake beams



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REVERSIBLE STRUT FOR BRAKE BEAMS Filed Se. 1926 Patented Aug. 30, 1927. i

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS E. RODMAN, OF GLENCOE, ILLIIOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 THE BRADFORD COR-1 PORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

' REVERSIBLIEI STRUT FOR BRAKE BEAMS.

Application led September 13, 1926. Serial No. 135,175..

This invention relates to reversible struts for trussed brake beams for railway cars.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of strut capable of a limited rotation on-its longitudinal axis,

whereby the brake lever may be tilted to one side or the other as the particular location of the beam may require gand to provide improved means for locking the strutv in either position.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig'. 1 is a plan view of a brake beam i: having the improved reversible strut.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the head end of the strut.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the toot end of the strut seating the tension member.

Fig. 4 is a side elevationof a portion of the strut showing the foot end thereof.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the strut.

Fig. 6 is a similar elevation rotated on its aXis and partly in section.

In the form shown, the brake beam comprises Va compression membery 1 and a tension member 2 secured together adjacent their outer ends in any suitable manner, as by the nuts 8 screwed onlthe ends of the tension member and bearing against the brake heads l.' A hollow tubular strut 5 separates the compression member and the tension member at points substantially equidistant from their respective ends. The head end 6 of the strut is an elliptic cylinder litt-ing within the bosom of the channel bar compression mem ber and shaped to guide and limit rotative movement of the strut with respect Vto the compression member. The strut has an annular shoulder 7 near the compression member. A lug 8 tits in the aperture or recess 9 in the compression member, which may be of channel bar or any other suitable rolled or pressed structural steel shape.

Asleeve 10 secures the strut to the compression member and is shaped to embrace the adjacent parts, of both. The aperture 11 is of sufficient diameter to permit passing the strut therethrough, but the aperture 12 is smaller so that its edges overlap and engage the shoulder 7. rl`he longitudinal bore for the compression member is ofsuch depth that, with the strut in place, the sleeve may be slipped overl the end of the compression member and slid into place. A'wedge 13, 55 driven between the compression member and the sleeve serves todraw the lug 8 into the recess 9 and .detachably secure the parts together. The wedge has at its thin end a lip 111, which may be bent upwardly after it has been driven home, thereby serving t0 secure `the several parts together.

-The foot end of the strut has a seat 15 adapted to receive the tension member 2. The seat is formed to permit the desired degree of rotation for the strut, which rotation is also limited by longitudinally projecting feet 15.1 which straddle the tension member and engage opposite sides thereof.

Although but one speciiic embodiment of `v vthis invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understoodthat numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A brake beam comprising a channelledr compression member, a tension member, a reversible strut extending between said members, and having a head fitting into the channel of the compression member and ot non-circular section to provide for and limit the axial rotation of the strut, a shoulder on the strut adjacent said head, and means embracing said shoulder and said compression member for securing said strut.

2. A brake beam comprising a channelled compression member, a tension member, a reversible strut extending between said members, and having a head litting into the channel of the compression member and of noncircular section to provide for and limit the) axial rotation of the strut, a shoulder on the strut adjacent said head, and a sleeve em- 95 bracing said shoulder and said compression member for securing said strut.

3. A brake beam comprising a channelled Compression member, a tension member, a said Shoulder and said compression member reversible strut extending between said mem- 'for securing said strut, and a Wedge between bers, and having a head fitting into the chansaid sleeve and said Compression member for 10 nel ot 'the compression member and of nondetachably securing said strut. circular Section to provide for and limit the Signed at Chicago this 9th day of Sepaxial rotation of the strut, a Shoulder on the tember, 1926. f' l strut adjacent said head, a sleeve embracing THOMAS E. RODMAN. 

